Unmanned aerial vehicle motor driving randomization for noise abatement
US9422055B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 2, 2015 |
| Grant date | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 2, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64U2201/00
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
This disclosure is directed to varying a speed of one or more motors in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to reduce unwanted sound (i.e., noise) of the UAV. A UAV may include motors coupled with propellers to provide lift and propulsion to the UAV in various stages of flight, such as while ascending, descending, hovering, or transiting. The motors and propellers may generate noise, which may include a number of noise components such as tonal noise (e.g., a whining noise such as a whistle of a kettle at full boil) and broadband noise (e.g., a complex mixture of sounds of different frequencies, such as the sound of ocean surf). By varying the controls to the motors, such as by varying the speed or revolutions per minute (RPM) of a motor during operation by providing random or pseudo-random RPM variations, the UAV may generate a noise signature with reduced tonal noise.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.